Postdoctoral Researcher in gastrointestinal epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) is among the largest departments of epidemiology in Europe with special focus on increasing our knowledge of the aetiology of different diseases. Our department consists of researchers, doctoral students, biostatisticians, data collectors and database administrators as well as administrative personnel, in total some 250 staff. The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at ki.se/meb

DivisionThe gastrointestinal epidemiology group at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) are now looking for a postdoc who matches our level of ambition to better understand, and prevent gastrointestinal disease. Our research group consists of epidemiologists, clinicians, statisticians, and database administrators and provides a vibrant and stimulating working atmosphere.

Sweden is renowned for its world-class nationwide health registers. Based on these registers, Swedish researchers have produced outstanding papers and advanced our understanding in fields such as coeliac disease, oesophageal disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology but also colorectal cancer. Through linkage with the personal identity number, it is possible to combine information from e.g. the Swedish Medical Birth Register, the Patient Register, the Cause of Death Register, the Cancer Register, the Prescribed Drug Register and different quality registers. However, a limitation of these registers is the absence of histopathology data. Through a nationwide collection of computerised biopsy report data from all Swedish 28 pathology departments we have succeeded in creating a database of about 2.2 million individuals (with 5.4 million biopsy reports) who have undergone a biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract (intestine/liver/pancreas/gall bladder). This cohort includes for instance 49,000 unique individuals with celiac disease, 841,000 individuals with colorectal biopsies, and 179,000 individuals with liver biopsies. The database is known under its acronym Espresso (Epidemiology Strengthened by histoPathology Reports in Sweden).

DutiesThe main responsibilities are to perform research on environmental risk factors in celiac disease, but there will be opportunities to work also in other fields of gastroenterology exploring risk factors and prognosis of diseases where histopathology is essential. The position requires a high level of statistical/mathematical competence , and to absorb necessary knowledge on gastrointestinal disease etiology and epidemiology and register based research.

For examples of our research, please see PubMed ”ludvigsson jf[author]”.

Entry requirementsA person is eligible for a position as Postdoctoral Researcher if he or she has obtained a PhD no more than seven years before the last date of employment as postdoc. The term can be extended under special circumstances.

Applicants should have a PhD degree in epidemiology or biostatistics, as well as substantial experience of standard statistical regression techniques. An in-depth knowledge of gastrointestinal disease is very important.

The appointment will be for 2 years, with a possible extension after evaluation.

Personal characteristics

The applicant should be highly collegial, and be able to work well in a team as well as having the ability to work independently. Further, the applicant should possess exceptional organizational skills, know how to successfully multitask, and should be able to describe past examples of having developed structured approaches to solving unanticipated and complex problems. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required, along with experience with writing and publishing research articles in English.

The applicant should have excellent analytical skills, possess curiosity and creativity, and have capacity to take responsibility for specific research projects. Further, the applicant should have the skill set to be involved in supervision of PhD students, including the necessary communicational skills.

Application processAn employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work

A complete list of publications

A summary of current work (no more than one page)

Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances

The application is to be submitted through the MyNetwork recruitment system.

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to significantly contribute to the improvement of human health. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published. Karolinska Institutet strives to provide a workplace that has approximately the same number of women and men, is free of discrimination and offers equal opportunity to everyone.

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